Interested in DDS/DMD but with concerns, advice?

[cc122477]

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I am interested in attending dental school but I have some concerns about being a competitive applicant. I graduated in 2008 with a BA in Bio and Health Science and a Chemistry minor with a 3.94 GPA. Since graduation, I have been a Post Baccalaureate research fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIAID) where I have been heavily involved in Immunology research. During my time at NIH, I have been a co-author on multiple publications. My concern is that I have not taken the DAT, volunteered, or shadowed a dentist. I am looking for advice on how to study for the DAT, which volunteer experiences will be attractive for admissions boards, and how many hour of shadowing will be necessary to make a complete and competitive application. Any info will be greatly appreciated! 🙂

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Forget volunteer experience... you have great work experience.

Just get in as much shadowing as you can... 100 hours minimum and maybe some volunteering at some clinics?

Do well on the dat and you should be good to go.

 

[93geo]

just find a dentist to shadow and when you apply get that person to write you a recommendation letter. with your grades you would probably have a really good shot at getting acceptances with a 19 academic average or better dat score, which isn't really that hard to achieve if you study.

 

[SeattleRDH]

Do you want to go into dental research and/or academia or do you just want to be a private practice dentist?

 

[youknowthedrill]

You need to shadow a dentist before you do anything else to make sure this is the path you want to take. You should have no problems gaining an acceptance with your GPA and experience. Check out the DAT forum for great study advice and materials. There is a sticky at the top with an 8-week study plan.

 

[cc122477]

OK, thanks for the replies. My priority will be to get some shadowing done asap. Is there a proper way to approach this issue? And 100 hours is a good target number of hours?

In regards to the study plans, I work in the lab full time so it will be very difficult for me to study all day like some of the plans are suggesting. I will probably stretch the studying out over a longer period of time.

And as far as research, I wouldn't rule it out for me but it is not my first priority in the future.

 

[DentistDMD]

I am interested in attending dental school but I have some concerns about being a competitive applicant. I graduated in 2008 with a BA in Bio and Health Science and a Chemistry minor with a 3.94 GPA. Since graduation, I have been a Post Baccalaureate research fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIAID) where I have been heavily involved in Immunology research. During my time at NIH, I have been a co-author on multiple publications. My concern is that I have not taken the DAT, volunteered, or shadowed a dentist. I am looking for advice on how to study for the DAT, which volunteer experiences will be attractive for admissions boards, and how many hour of shadowing will be necessary to make a complete and competitive application. Any info will be greatly appreciated! 🙂

50+ hours as far as shadowing hours go (more the better)

There are 6 sections on DAT: bio, chem, ochem, perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and math (in order of testing)

For bio: Cliff's AP bio, Kaplan DAT book (blue book), and Barron's AP Bio are sources frequently used to go over the concepts. datQvault and DAT Destroyer for practice problems...

For chem and ochem: Chad's videos and quizzes (must get's) for concepts and DAT Destroyer(a must get) for practice problems...

For PAT: Crack DAT PAT software 5 or 10 test version (a must get item)

For Math: Math Destroyer (you may or may not need this depending on your current proficiency in high school math like geometry, algebra, and trigonometry)

For reading comprehension: Crack DAT Reading (again, it's not needed if you are a fast, avid reader.....note that reading passages on DAT are quite technical and all scientific)

For a simulated full length practice: TopScore DAT (contains 3 full length computer based exams that closely mimic the actual DAT) A must in my opinion

Length of preparation time varies according to each individual but generally it takes about 2 months. Aim for 21+ AA, TS, and PAT and you should be set.

Edit: People usually go over DAT Destroyer and Chad's videos multiple times.

 

[nondescriptive]

👍👍👍

 

[dantemac]

Study for the DAT after work/weekends - take it maybe this winter so you can retake in the spring if you need to. Find some volunteering to do, and maybe only 1 or 2 dentists to shadow - you already have plenty of healthcare experience. I would apply next cycle with that great GPA and hopefully a good DAT score.